Side by side
SciTE vs Vim
Both stand on text editors. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose SciTE if you want a free editor with syntax styling and built-in commands for running or compiling source files, particularly for simple configurations. Look elsewhere if you need multiple files visible at once or require a noncommercial Mac version.
Visit SciTE Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Vim offers extensive editing and extension capabilities across Linux, macOS, and Windows, with no listed charge. Its learning requirement and lack of WYSIWYG typesetting make it less suited to users seeking a conventional word processor.
Visit VimThe facts
| SciTE | Vim | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Vim |
| Website | scintilla.org | vim.org |
| On text editors | #13 of 82 | #9 of 82 |
SciTE: what it does well
- Free plan listed as free
- Can compile or run source files and show command output
- Syntax styling documented for a range of programming and markup languages
- Includes multi-cursor editing, column editing, and macro recording
- Properties files can change settings and add Tools menu applications
What to know first
- The editor displays only one file at a time
- The Linux binary requires GTK 2.24 or later
- The Mac App Store version is commercial
Vim: what it does well
- Free distribution under a GPL-compatible license
- Supports hundreds of languages and file formats
- Includes persistent, multi-level undo
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Offers plugins and a scripting language
What to know first
- Takes learning to use
- Not a WYSIWYG word processor for typeset documents